Method of and device for local skin massaging

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to medical technology, specifically to devices for local massage of the skin, especially facial skin. The purpose of the invention is to improve the effectiveness of the massage while making the device more ergonomic. The device comprises identical massaging heads (1, 2), each of which consists of the following: heating elements which are in contact with a thermal contact plate (8); a heat dissipation system (9) designed, for example, in the form of an air radiator; a housing (10) with a convex spherical surface (11) and a holder made up of the plates (12, 13) with an aperture (14) whose wall has a spherical concave surface, the aperture forming an articulated joint with the surface (11) and thereby ensuring close contact throughout the massage session between the thermal contact plate (8) and the area being massaged. The device is provided with an automatic contrasting thermocycling unit consisting of a voltage stabilizer (34) and a pulse generator (35) connected in series, the switching component (33) being connected between the direct current source (32) and the heating elements in the massaging heads (1, 2). During the massage, the thermal contact plate (8) in contact with the massaged area is periodically cooled and heated by changing the direction of current passing through the heating elements. The clamp units are designed preferably in the form of a headpiece consisting of arched spring units (22, 23) whose end sections fit into slots (20) in the holder, thereby allowing the massaging heads (1, 2) to be moved along the clamp units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a medical field and can be used in devices forlocal skin massage, which are used preferably during perfolactic andstimulating massage of facial skin for cosmetic purpose.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of anddevice for local massaging of skin.

The device for local massage preferably of facial skin is known, whichincludes a cylindrical casing with a conical end provided with heatcontact plate, and thermal element adjoining the plate and connectedwith a block for regulation of temperature of the plate, as well as asystem of heat withdrawal (see French patent No. 2,177,818, Class P 25 B21/02, 1974). In this known device, before the beginning of massage theregulator sets the required temperature of the heat contact plate, andmassage of local portion of the facial skin is performed manually.

The disadvantage of the known device is a low efficiency of the massage,which results from difficulty of maintaining a reliable contact of theheat contact plate with skin, and necessity of periodical switching bythe massager of a temperature regulator.

Another device for contrast temperature action on local skin portionswith performing of local massage is known, which includes thermalelements adjoining the heat contact plate and a system of heatwithdrawal, accommodated in a casing, a source of direct currentconnected through a commutating element to the thermal elements, andelements for clamping the device on a human body (see Swiss patent No.527,506, Class HO1V1/00, 1972). In this known device the clampingelements can be formed for example as a watch bracelet made of anelastic material so that the pressing of the heat contact plate to theskin portion to be massaged is provided.

The disadvantage of this known device is low efficiency of massagingsince during setting of the device it is not possible to provide areliable heat contact of the heat contact plate with the portion to bemassaged during the fixed position of the plate. The air gaps which areproduced lead to formation of thermal resistance, which in turn leads toa non-isothermicity of the surface to be massaged, and the efficiency ofthe massage is reduced.

A device for local skin massage which is the closest in its technicalaspects to the device of the present invention has a casing, in which aheat contact plate is mounted, a commutating element, and means forcooling and heating of the heat contact plate which include a source ofthe direct current connected through the commutating element to thethermal elements adjoining the heat contact plate, and a system of heatwithdrawal (see French patent No. 2,244,145, Class 861 AGIH7/00, 1975).This known device is used predominantly for massaging facial skin, andtransition from heating mode to cooling mode is performed by switchingof the commutating element of the massager.

The disadvantage of this known device is low efficiency of massagingsince it is difficult to produce constant reliable pressing of the heatcontact plate to the portion to be massaged. In the known device duringa long-term massage (tens of minutes) the hand of a massaging person,uses, and the tight abutment of the heat contact plate against the skindeteriorates. In addition, the known device has low ergonomic propertiessince in order to change the mode it is necessary to manually switch ofthe commutating element after exactly fixed time intervals, which istiring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is designed for increasing the efficiency of massaging oflocal skin portions with simultaneous improvement of ergonomicproperties.

In order to achieve this technical result, in the device for local skinmassaging which includes a casing with a heat contact plate mounted onit, a commutating element, and means for cooling and heating of the heatcontact plate including a source of direct current connected through thecommutating element to the thermal elements adjoining the heat contactplate, and a system of heat withdrawal, there are additionallyintroduced a block of contrast thermocycling, a holder with an openingfor the casing, and elements of pressing the heat contact plate to theskin which adjoin the holder, and the block of automatic contrastthermocycling is introduced into a space between the source of directand the commutating element, the opening of the holder has a sphericalconcave wall, the casing is formed with a spherical convex wall whichforms with the opening a hinge connection, and the holder is arrangedwith the possibility of displacing along the elements of pressing, andpreferably: the block of automatic contrast thermocycling is formed as avoltage stabilizer and power generator connected in series with theinput of the voltage stabilizer connected to the output of the source ofdirect current and the output of the pulse generator connected to thecommutating element; the heat withdrawal system is formed with a convexspherical surface so that its contact connection with the sphericalconcave surface of the opening of the holder is hinge-like; anadditional casing is provided in the device and accommodates the blockof automatic contrast thermocycling and the source of the directcurrent, with an additional casing of handles of the regulator of themode of contrast thermocycling arranged on the front panel, and theadditional casing is connected with the holder by thread-like elements,the device is formed as two identical massage blocks each containing theheat contact plate arranged on the casing, thermal elements adjoiningthe heat contact plate, the holder with the opening and having thecontact connection with the casing which is hinge-shaped, and the systemof heat withdrawal, with the blocks connected with one another throughthe pressing elements; the pressing elements are formed as two identicalparts with their connection formed so as to allow change of relativelocation of the massaging blocks; the pressing elements are formed as ahead of arcuate springs with the end portions arranged in gaps of theholders, and an arcuate fixator with an arcuate spring is arranged inthe central zone of the head and accommodates the end of the arcuatespring; or the pressing elements are formed as spectacle frame curvesconnected by an arcuate spring with a support element connected to thecenter of the springs, and the massaging blocks are arranged on thecurves so as to move in two mutually perpendicular directions, or thepressing elements are formed as a part of a spectacle frame with anelastic element arranged on each curve, and massaging block fixed on theelastic element, so that the elastic element is formed so as to bemovable along the curve.

Since the holder with the opening forming a hinge connection with thecasing is introduced in the device, it allows a reliable heat contact ofthe whole surface of the heat contact plate with the skin portion to bemassaged even when the orientation of the holder is changed. Thereby,the generation of parasitic air gap between the skin and heat contactplate is eliminated and a uniform heat action along the while surface ofthe skin portion to be massaged is provided during the whole time ofmassaging, so that efficiency of the massaging is increased. Variousstructures can be used for the hinge connection, however, it ispreferable when the casing is formed with the convex spherical surfacewhich is used as one element of a hinge connection, while the holder isformed with an opening having a concave spherical wall used as a secondelement of the hinge connection, and therefore the construction issubstantially simplified and the operational reliability is increaseddue to extended surface of the hinge connection. The outer surface ofthe system of heat withdrawal which adjoins the concave sphericalsurface of the opening of the holder can be also formed with a sphericalouter surface to be one of the elements of the hinge connection, whichprovides simplification of the construction. In order to increase theefficiency of massaging due to contrast thermocycling of the portion tobe massaged by successive heating and cooling performed through exactlyfixed time intervals, with simultaneous improvement of the ergonomicproperties due to facilitation of operational conditions of a massagingpersonnel, the device is provided with a block of automatic contrastthermocycling which is introduced between the commutating element andthe source of direct current. Preferably, the block of automaticcontrast thermocycling is formed as a voltage stabilizer and powergenerator connected in series, with the input of the voltage stabilizerconnected to the output of the source of direct current and the outputof the pulse generator connected to the commutating element, whichprovides the possibility of free regulation of a mode of the process ofthermocycling with simultaneous simplification of the blockconstruction. In order to increase the efficiency of the massagingprocess due to efficient change of the mode of the contrastthermocycling, preferably the block of automatic contrast thermocyclingis arranged in an additional casing with the handles of mode regulators,for example, handles of a potentiometer block, arranged on the frontpanel of the additional casing. Here the additional casing is fixed tothe holder by thread-like elements, therefore it can be located on apatient's chest so as to increase the convenience of device operation,to improve ergonomic properties. Since the claimed device is providedpreferably for massage of facial skin, it is preferable to form it oftwo identical massage blocks and to arrange them during massaging atboth sides of the plane extending through the face center. The massageblocks are connected by pressing elements which are formed of twoidentical parts with the possibility of changing of mutual location ofthe massage blocks and the efficient change of the mutual location ofthe massage blocks is provided in dependence on the patient's face size,and at the same time the efficiency of massage is increased because ofthe reliable pressing of the heat contact plates against the face skin.The pressing elements can have different constructions, however, it ispreferable to form pressing elements as a head of arcuate springs withtheir end portions located in slots of holders, so that the constructionof the pressing elements is simplified to the maximum and it is possibleto displace the holders along the springs. In order to extent the rangeof distances between the massaging blocks, an arcuate fixator with acurved path can be arranged in a central zone of the head, and the endof the arcuate spring can be arranged in the slot. Depending on the sizeof the patient's face, the spring is displaced in the curved path, andthe distance between the massage blocks is regulated, with simultaneousreliable heat contact with the skin. The pressing elements can be formedas spectacle frame arcs connected by an arcuate spring with a supportelement fixed to a spring center, and the massage blocks are arranged soas to displace in mutually perpendicular directions, so that the rangeof facial skin portions which can be massaged is expanded due to thepossibility of movement of the massage blocks in two mutuallyperpendicular directions. The pressing elements can be formed also as apart of a spectacle frame, and an elastic element which mounts themassage block is located on each arc, and the elastic element is formedso that it can displace along the spectacle arc, to provide apossibility of arranging the massage block in the most favorable massagezones.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The attached drawings illustrate:

FIG. 1 is a massage block (transverse cross-section) with a hingeconnection formed by a casing;

FIG. 2 is a massage block (transverse cross-section) with a hingeconnection formed by a system of heat withdrawal;

FIG. 3 is a heat contact plate with a springy support element;

FIG. 4 is a general view of the device (transverse cross-section--frontview) with pressing elements in the form of a head;

FIG. 5 is a general view of the device (in isometric projection) withtwo arcuate springs;

FIG. 6 is a general view of the device (in isometric projection) withpressing elements formed as spectacle arcs connected by an arcuatespring;

FIG. 7 is a general view of the device (in isometric projection) withpressing elements formed as a part of a spectacle frame;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a block of contrast thermocycling.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A claimed device for local massage of skin includes: massaging blocks 1,2 each including thermal elements composed of semi-conductor branches ofelectronic conductivity ("n"type) 3, semiconductor branches of wholeconductivity ("p"type) 4, connected by commutating webs 5,electro-isolating layer 6, 7, a heat contact plate 8, a system of heatwithdrawal 9 formed for example as an air radiator, a casing 10 whichcan be formed with a spherical convex wall 11, a holder composed of twoparts 12, 13 having an opening with a spherical concave wall 14, andelectrical terminals 15, 16; the system of heat withdrawal can be formedwith a spherical outer wall 17 (see FIG. 2); the heat contact element 8can be formed with a projection along its perimeter 18, on which asupport element 19 can be fixed (see FIG. 3); a slot 20 can be formed inthe holder, and ends of arcuate springs 22, 23 which form a head can befixed in the slot by fixing elements 21; an arcuate fixator 24 isarranged in the center zone of the head and has a curved path 25 so thatthe end of the arcuate spring is fixed in the curved path by a fixingelement 26; a system of additional arcuate spring 27, 28 which areidentical to the main springs, with an arcuate fixator 29, a fixingelement 30 and an additional fixing element 31 (see FIG. 5) can beprovided; a source of direct current 32 connected through a commutatingelement 33 to thermal elements of the massage blocks; a voltagestabilizer 34 and a pulse generator 35 connected in series so that theinput of the voltage stabilizer is connected to the source of directcurrent through an plug connection 36; when the pressing elements areformed as a part of spectacle frames, a support element 37 and arcs of aspectacle frame 38, 39 are utilized (see FIGS. 6, 7).

The branches of the thermal elements 3, 4 are preferably composed ofhighly efficient semiconductor materials, for example from a ternaryalloy based on bismuth tolaride. The heat contact plate 8 is composed ofmaterials which have high thermal conductivity, for example copper,aluminum oxide ceramics, aluminum nitrite, etc., and whenelectro-isolating material is utilized, commutating webs 5 of thethermal elements are connected directly to the heat contact plate 8. Athin layer (with thickness less than 0.1 mm) of the protectivebiological coating (not shown in the drawing) can be applied on theouter surface of the heat contact plate 8. The casing 10 is preferablycomposed of a heat insulating material, for example of plastic. An outerwall of the casing is formed with a convex spherical surface 11, and thecenter of this sphere 0 (see FIG. 1) is located in a geometrical centerof the casing. The holder which is used for mounting of the casing 10 onthe pressing elements is preferably formed composite, for examplecomposed of two parts 12, 13 which are connected with one another bycatches and fixing elements (not shown in the drawings), whichsubstantially simplifies the assembly process for the device. An openinghaving a concave spherical wall 14 is formed in the holder and has acurvature which corresponds to the curvature of the wall of the casing11, so that during connection of the contacting walls 11, 14 a hingeconnection is formed. The heat contact plate 8 preferably is formedalong its perimeter with a projection 18 which is fixed in the supportelement 11 composed of a spring material for example rubber (see FIG.3), which contributes to improvement of heat contact with skin. Thesystem of heat withdrawal 9 is preferably formed as an air radiator (seeFIGS. 1-7). The outer surface of the system of heat withdrawal can beformed with convex and spherical surface 17 (see FIG. 2), and itscontact with the concave spherical surface of the holder 14 forms ahinge connection. The pressing elements which provide pressing of theheat contact plates 8 to the skin portions to be massaged can be formedfor example as a head of arcuate springs 22, 23, whose ends are fixed inslots of the holders 20 (see FIGS. 4, 5); or as a part of a spectacleframe in which the curves of the spectacle 38, 39 are connected byarcuate springs 22, 23 (see FIG. 6); or as a part of a spectacle framein which elastic elements mounting the massage blocks 1, 2 are arrangedon the curves of the spectacle 38, 39 (see FIG. 7). When the pressingelements are formed as the head of a system of the arcuate spring 22,23, identical elements 27, 28 (see FIG. 5) can be introduced to increasethe reliability of fixation of the massage blocks 1, 2 on the skinportions to be massaged. Accumulators, galvanic elements, photoelectricbatteries, alternating current rectifiers connected to a network andother sources can be used as sources of direct current 32 which provideenergy supply to the thermal elements of the massage blocks 1, 2. Thevoltage stabilizer 34 can be composed of standard elements, for exampleof a transistor connected in series to the stabilizer, with a circuitincluding a capacitor and potentiometer connected parallel to them. Thepulse generator 35 which is used for automatic supply of bipolar currentpulses to the thermal elements is formed as a conventional generator ofinfralow frequencies (pulse length 60-90 S), and composed of standardunits and parts. For example the pulse generator 35 can be composed oftwo field transistors connected in series to one another and connectedto a transistor, potentiometers, capacitors and an electronic relay witha diode connected parallel to it, with the commutating element 33 formedas a contact group of an electronic relay, connecting the output of thepulse generators 35 with the thermal elements of massage blocks 1, 2(see FIG. 6). The output of the source of direct current 32 is connectedto the input of the voltage stabilizer 34 by an interface 36 formed forexample as a plug. The voltage stabilizer 34 and the pulse generator 35connected in series form a block of automatic contrast thermocyclingwhich allows to cyclically reduce and increase the temperature of theheat contact plate 8 in a predetermined automatic mode. The block ofautomatic contrast thermocycling and the source of direct current 32 arepreferably arranged in an additional casing (not shown in the drawings)with handles of a regulator of contrast thermocycling mode arranged onits front panel. The additional casing is fixed to the holder bythread-like elements (not shown in the drawings) which can be formed forexample as wires connecting the massage blocks 1, 2 with the block ofautomatic contrast thermocycling.

The claimed device for local skin massage operates in the followingmanner. Depending on the size of the patient's head, the distancebetween the massage block 1, 2 is adjusted by changing the location ofthe end portion of the arcuate spring 23 in the curved slot 25, andsimultaneously the force of pressing of the heat contact plates 8 to theskin is set. The location of the end portions of the arcuate springs 22,23 in the slots 20 of the holders is adjusted, so as to adjust thelocation of the heat contact plates 8 with respect to the height, forexample they are arranged in the temple area near the end of eyebrows.The regulators of the block of automatic contrast thermocycling (notshown in the drawings) set the predetermined parameters of the mode ofcontrast thermocycling: temperature of heating and cooling of the heatcontact plates 8, the time of processes of heating and cooling, selectedin accordance with the individual parameters of a patient. With the plugconnection 36, the inlet of the voltage stabilizer 34 is connected tothe outlet of the source of direct current 32. Direct current issupplied through the thermal elements of the massage blocks 1, 2 and dueto Peltier effect the cooling of the heat contact plate 8 takes place(usually to 10°-17° C.). After elapsing of a predetermined time (forexample during the time of pulse equal to 1 minute) the pulse generator35 automatically switches the direction of current supplied through thethermal elements and performs heating of the heat contact plate 8(usually heating is performed to 25°-32° C.). After elapsing of 1minute, heating of the heat contact plate 8 is interrupted, the pulsegenerator 35 again automatically changes the direction of currentsupplied through the thermal elements, and the heat contact plate 8 isagain cooled, etc.

The total time of the massaging session is usually 30-60 minutes. Duringthe contrast thermocycling, periodic expansion (during heating) andcontraction (during cooling) of the local skin portion located under theheat contact plate 8 occurs, and simultaneously with speed of exchangeprocesses whereby a massage effect is achieved, and with sufficientnumber of massage sessions (usually 20-30) due to the stimulating actionon the skin surface, gradual reduction of wrinkle depth on the skin isobtained up to its complete elimination. During the whole session thereliable heat contact of the heat contact plate 8 with the skin ismaintained. After elapsing of the time provided for the massage session,the plug 36 disconnects the voltage stabilizer 34 from the source ofdirect current 32. For several minutes (usually 2-3 minutes), the deviceremains on the patient's head for gradual equalization of thetemperature of the heat conduct plate 8 with the conventional skintemperature. The control of massage efficiency is performed byconventional methods used in industry. Test samples of the claimeddevice for local skin massage were produced by the applicant andsuccessfully tested on tens of patient volunteers. When compared withknown devices, the claimed device for local skin massage allows toconsiderably increase massage efficiency since it provides a carrying ofthe contrast thermocycling with uniform heat action on the portion to bemassaged during the whole massage session. Without the use of surgicalaction, the "smoothing" of wrinkles on the face is performed, up totheir complete disappearance. Simultaneously, the ergonomic propertiesis improved due to improvement of massage operator work conditions. Inaddition, the claimed device can be used not only in a beauty salon, butalso in the household, for example in a passenger salon of a car, andeven during working of a patient.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in adevice for local body massage, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A method of local skin massagecomprising the steps of selecting a plurality of local skin portions fortheir subsequent temperature stimulation; placing each of heat contactplates of a plurality of massage thermoelectric blocks of athermoelectric device above each of the plurality of the selected localskin portions; providing a fixed force of pressing the heat contactplates of the massage thermoelectric blocks against the plurality of theselected local skin portions; automatic performance of atemperature-time cycle including carrying out of sign-alternatingprocesses of change of the electric currents simultaneously flowingthrough the thermal elements of the massage blocks operating on the basePeltier effect; and automatic uninterrupted successive repetition of thecycle with a predetermined frequency.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1,wherein said sign-alternating process of changing direct electriccurrent is performed so as to provide a predetermined contrast change oftemperatures of cooling and heating of the heat contact plate withinpredetermined time and symbol-alternating ranges, but not exceeding ±25° relative to an initial temperature of a corresponding one of the localskin portions, said step of uninterrupted continuous repetition of thecycle being performed with a frequency provided by the thermoelectricdevice within provided in a region of infralow frequencies, but not lessthan 5.10⁻³ Hz.
 3. A device for local skin massage, comprising a casing;heat contact plates arranged on said casing and placeable above aplurality of selected local skin portions; a commutating elementarranged on said casing; means for cooling and heating of said heatcontact plates including a source of direct current, thermal elementsadjoining said heat contact plate, said commutating element connectingsaid source with said thermal elements; a system of heat withdrawal; ablock of automatic contrast thermocycling for automatic performance of atemperature-time cycle including carrying out of sign-alternatingprocesses of change of the electric currents simultaneously flowingthrough the thermal elements of the massage blocks operating on the basePeltier effect, and automatic uninterrupted successive repetition of thecycle with a predetermined frequency; a holder with a plurality ofopenings for a plurality of said casing; elements for pressing of saidheat contact plate to a skin connected to said holder; said block ofautomatic contrast thermocycling being introduced between said source ofdirect current and said commutating element, each said opening of saidholder having a spherical concave wall cooperating with a sphericalconvex surface in one of the casing and the system of heat withdrawalwhich forms with said opening a hinge connection, said holder beingarranged so that it can move along said pressing elements.
 4. A deviceas defined in claim 3, wherein said block of automatic contrastthermocycling includes a voltage stabilizer and a pulse generatorconnected in series so that an input of said voltage stabilizer isconnected to an output of said source of direct current, and an outputof said pulse generator is connected to said commutating element.
 5. Adevice as defined in claim 3, wherein said system of heat withdrawal hassaid spherical convex surface which together with said spherical concavewall of said opening of said holder forms a hinge.
 6. A device asdefined in claim 3; and further comprising two identical massage blockseach including said heat contact plate arranged in said casing, saidthermal elements adjoining said heat contact plate, said holder withsaid opening hingedly connected with said casing, and said system ofheat withdrawal; and pressing elements connecting said massaging blockswith one another.
 7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein saidpressing elements are formed as two parts connected with one another soas to change a relative position of said massage blocks.
 8. A device asdefined in claim 6, wherein said pressing elements are formed as a headof arcuate springs with end portions located in slots of said holders.9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said head has a central zoneprovided with an arcuate fixator with a curved path, said arcuate springhas an end located in said slot.
 10. A device as defined in claim 6,wherein said pressing elements are formed as curves of a spectacle framewhich are connected by an arcuate spring, and a support elementconnected to a center of said spring, said massage blocks being arrangedon said curves so as to move in two mutually perpendicular directions.11. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said pressing elements areformed as parts of a spectacle frame with each curve provided with aspringy element such that each of said massage blocks is fixed on arespective one of said spring elements, said spring element being formedso that it is movable along said curve.
 12. A method as defined in claim3, wherein said spherical convex surface is formed in said casing.
 13. Amethod for local skin massage, comprising a plurality of heat contactplates of plural massage thermoelectric blocks of a thermoelectricdevice, each thermoelectric block being placeable above each of aplurality of selected local skin portions; means for providing a fixedforce of pressing the heat contact plates of the massage thermoelectricblocks against each of the plurality of the selected local skinportions; and means for automatic performance of a temperature-timecycle including carrying out of sign-alternating processes of change ofthe electric currents simultaneously flowing through the thermalelements of the massage blocks operating on the base Peltier effect, andfor automatic uninterrupted successive repetition of the cycle with apredetermined frequency.